When one understands the true meaning of Traceless Charity, he will not be weary of what he is doing. He feels the endless joy and love for giving and sacrificing. The more he gives, the more joyful he becomes. He gives all he can until his last breath and joyfully smile when he leaves this world. On the contrary, if one enjoys the applause and compliments from others for his great deeds, he might feel happy for that moment, but after the praise, he falls into emptiness or even sadness. This is not true happiness or joy; they are only the manifestation of desires and conditions. These kind of emotions are all casual conditions (emotions or situations that begins and ends according to the laws of nature).Confronting Solitary For a Dao cultivator, it is important for one to improve the practice of Traceless Charity. To cultivate this is to restore the original self, the Heavenly nature. Perhaps, one might question, "why cultivate?" The world has everything imaginable. "Why be different and walk a path different from everyone else?" The path of cultivation is not paved in gold, it can be a very lonely road to walk. Throughout history, Saints and Sages lived a solitary, yet a holy life. It is difficult for sentient beings to understand the wisdom of a saint who lived a life for bright conscience. Ignorance blinds one from the truth and rejects the efforts of a Saint. This is why it is not easy for one to realize the purpose and loneliness of confronting the self in walking the path to a brighter conscience. In the path of Dao cultivation, no one can walk the road for another. As a Dao cultivator he faces different problems from those who does not cultivate. One can perhaps resolve his problems with the help from a family or friend, but a Dao cultivator must resolve and face his inner struggles alone. If no bears hatred, jealousy, or suspicion, no one can help him subdue his inner emotions. No matter how much consultation he receives from others, at the end, he must resolve his own struggles. This is why he must stand firm and have faith in confronting his emotions alone. He must understand the source of his distress, his fear, and bitterness. Only he who eats can satisfy his own hunger. Likewise, when one gets sick, he must take the medicine himself to be cured, no one can substitute the sufferings and the pain he faces. This is why physical problems can be helped, but inner struggles must be faced alone, and facing this is an aspect of cultivation. Instant Reunion with LAOMU When one faces loneliness with peace in his conscience, he reunites with LAO MU. His life of cultivation will be brilliant when he overcomes the fear of loneliness. The greatest aspect in Dao cultivation is to sacrifice for sentient beings. In solitude, he faces the world with the compassion he has for them. He exhausts himself to bring all beings back to LAO MU. In doing so, he expounds eternal joy. For example, if you are a person filled with complaints and resentments, and feel the need to complain to someone, this may give you a momentary relief, but the problem remains. You still have to exert all efforts to confront the struggles with benevolence and wisdom. Do try to discern the importance of this aspect. If one surrenders to loneliness, it will be difficult for him to walk the road of cultivation. Many profound dharmas can be preached, but dharmas are useless unless he can thoroughly understand them and fully practice them in his life. If one listens to the dharma without a clear comprehension, he will not know how to solve the problem when a situation comes up. If one can bravely face the problem of loneliness, then he has put the dharmas in practice. This is the practice of True Charity, because he sacrifices worldly enjoyments for "solitude." To master the state of loneliness is much valuable than to understand intellect theories, because one may learn all the concepts without practicing them. When one practices what he has learned, the he truly understands that knowledge. Otherwise, they remain only words and concepts. Traceless Charity is a precious dharma to help one learn the way of benevolence. A benevolent one will prepare himself to face loneliness. He must overcome loneliness in order for boundless loving-kindness to unveil, because the meaning of loving-kindness is sacrifice and charity. Though loneliness is an aspect of cultivation, if one cannot pass this state, he cannot elevate himself to the ultimate state. A benevolent one sacrifices, contributes, and gives selflessly without leaving a trace for others to know. So he may appear to be lonely and poor to the world. But it is this virtuous spirit that vibrates the light of benevolence. The spirit of loving-kindness does not rest or stop because of loneliness. The charity and sacrifice of a benevolent one are the marvelous conducts of the Heavenly heart. This is the reunion with LAO MY. This is how he can spiritually be with LAO MU eternally. The significance of this is true joy. He is never lonely. To be continued ........)